As the largest plaintiffs’ employment lawyers association in the country, our members are the heart and soul of everything we do. In carrying out our mission to empower workers’ rights attorneys, NELA provides exceptional opportunities for professional development through networking, educational programs, and technical support. Membership in NELA connects you with a national network of workers’ rights advocates who generously share their knowledge and expertise to enhance our collective efforts.

NELA members have access to a range of specialized benefits including

The NELA Exchange

One of our most popular member services. The Exchange is our online community where members can share information and exchange strategy in real-time with workers’ rights lawyers from across the country.

NELA Annual Convention

NELA members receive special pricing for the Annual Convention, our signature CLE event of the year. Meet advocates from across the country for two and half days of CLE, networking events, and community. More about the NELA Convention

Seminars and Virtual Programming

Our top-notch programs cover topics important to your practice, including our biennial Trial Boot Camp and Wage and Hour Update. Upcoming Programs.

Professional Development Opportunities

Member involvement is integral to our community of workers’ rights advocates. Grow in your profession and develop leadership skills by volunteering to be an amicus brief writer, committee member, practice group chair, or speaker at a seminar, webinar, or Annual Convention.

Advocacy

On critical issues important to workers’ rights advocates and their clients, such as ending forced arbitration, wage theft, and fair courts. NELA’s strong program of administrative advocacy includes EEOC and DOL Wage & Hour Working Groups. In 2023, NELA launched a campaign to end damage caps in employment discrimination cases under Title VII and establish compensatory and punitive damages under the ADEA.

“Find-A-Lawyer” Directory (additional fee required)

Workers visit our site every day looking for someone to help them seek justice. Your listing will include your firm, location, email address, and phone number.

And More.

Free Resource

“NELA has given me confidence and support! I’ve been able to exchange ideas with GREAT people. And I’ve been reassured on those days I want to throw in the towel. “

Phillis h. Rambsy Rambsy Law Nashville, TN

“If you are a plaintiff employment lawyer and you aren’t a member of NELA, you are missing out on tremendous resources, CLE and other benefits!”

Michelle (Shelly) Henry Craig Henry, PLC Louisville, KY

“The members of NELA are the most welcoming and inclusive group that I’ve been a part of. The friendships and relationships that I have formed have become an instrumental part of my personal life and professional career.”

Rachhana T. Srey Nichols Kaster, PLLP Minneapolis, MN

“As I started my law firm and began to litigate employment law cases, NELA’s programming and members have been instrumental in providing my law firm with the insights needed to take on the major employer-side law firms.”

Jamaal (“Jay”) W. Stafford, Esq. The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC Baltimore, MD

NELA’s mission is to empower workers’ rights attorneys through legal training, promoting a fair judiciary, and advocating for laws and policies that level the playing field for workers.

Affiliates

Working in partnership with our circuit, state, and local Affiliates, NELA’s advocacy extends from Capitol Hill to your community. Affiliate members get an additional $25 off NELA membership.